New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order late on Friday allowing shops selling non-essential goods to open from Saturday onwards.
“All neighbourhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT will be allowed to open during the lockdown,” the order said.
This relaxation does not apply to shopping complexes and malls.
The order stated that shops can open with 50 per cent staff strength while strictly adhere to the social distancing norms. Wearing of masks is mandatory.
However, shops in containment zones or hotspots will not be allowed to reopen.
Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gyms, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, and assembly halls will continue to remain closed till the restrictions are lifted on May 3.